Boycotting the Oscars

[DizBelle]

I don't get it. Are they asking to be recognized by the academy because of their race? I would certainly prefer to have people recognized by the academy for their merit regardless of the color of their skin.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

The Participation Trophy Syndrome strikes again.

 

[lynxstch]

Sounds like a lot of sour grapes to me. Do they think it will really matter in the long run?

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I think the point is that certain people feel that their races are under-representing in the film industry in general, and at award shows in particular.

Someone smarter and with more movie knowledge than I would be able to argue whether or not there are minority actors who deserve nominations this year. I've literally seen a half dozen movies all year, so I've got no opinion on whether or not minorities are under-representing at the Oscars. Should Straight Outta Compton been nominated for best motion picture? Creed? Should Michael B. Jordan have been nominated for best actor for Creed? Will Smith for Concussion? Should Idris Elba been nominated for best supporting actor for Beasts of No Nation? Abraham Attah?

Again, I don't know. I haven't seen any of these movies.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

From what I understand, they are saying there were other contenders of color.

Head of Academy saying they're going to make changes.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/...lack-of-diversity-academy-statement/78989706/

Jada Pinkett Smith already blasted by one person of color.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/oscars-fresh-prince-actress-responds-857028

Host Chris Rock caught in the middle.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...re-wake-Academy-Awards-celebrity-boycott.html

Sounds like it's going to be a hot mess!

 

[asta]

It would greatly diminish the award if nominations were given based on the threat of "you have to nominate me because I am a racial minority". Maybe there should be a separate award category. Kind of like how there is a separate award for actresses and actors. That can be looked at as discrimination, like separate but equal.

I mean this to come across as tongue in cheek but separating men and women into different categories looks discriminatory.

 

[diznygirl]

I don't get it. Are they asking to be recognized by the acacemy because of their race? I would certainly prefer to have people recognized by the academy for their merit regardless of the color of their skin.

The perception is that the academy is already voting based on race.

 

[MickeySP]

 

[Chocolate Cake]

I am black. My husband is white. In my experiences, he (and his family/white friends) enjoy the Oscar type of movies way more than I do. Boring

So, I am assuming black actors and actresses don't tend to star in "Oscar type" movies because they are targeting a white audience. Same with Asian, Hispanic, Indian, etc. actors. We are different. Why is that so difficult to accept? Why is that so taboo to admit? Of course, there is always an exception.

But, for the most part, black people and white people like different genres of film. And I am ok with that.

I would rather die than receive an award because I demanded it based on the color of my skin. Boycotting the Oscars until more blacks are nominated is ridiculous.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

The perception is that the academy is already is voting based on race.

And hatred by not including people in the "In Memorium" segment. (yea, I am bitter)

Are they going to have Bowie there? We will see.....

The Oscar's are very political to start with.

 

[RitaE]

I've seen Concussion, Will Smith's performance was certainly outstanding. The one point I'd make is that he went away from his usual smart mouthed comedic roles which is something the Oscar Voting system really goes for. I really can't comment on Straight Out of Compton because that just isn't a movie I'd enjoy.

The only other one I've seen is Creed and Michael B Jordan was good, but Oscar Performance really didn't spring to mind as I was watching it.

 

[Flight]

I don't get it. Are they asking to be recognized by the acacemy because of their race? I would certainly prefer to have people recognized by the academy for their merit regardless of the color of their skin.

Was it not just yesterday that we celebrated the life of a man that said this very thing?

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Again this is how out of touch the rich spoiled Hollywood Stars are.
Do they really think the average American gives a rats behind about some rich people award show?

Jada sits there in her multi million dollar mansion crying and whining her husband did not get nominated. Poor baby we feel bad for you.....not!

 

[Daisy62]

Much ado about nothing. I don't even watch the Oscars or any award show. I think they are all silly.

 

[wilkeliza]

There is merit to the argument but I think the boycott by a few people is petty. I believe the Smith's are only boycotting because Will was not nominated. My fiance is a movie buff who has a BA in film studies and a Masters in media management so I end up seeing a lot of movies or at least hearing about them. It isn't just the actors and actresses that are being snubbed due to race but directors, cinematographers, costume designers, and so on. Last year David Oyelowo should have won for Selma but wasn't even nominated and then for 12 Years A Slave it won Best Picture (rightfully so) but somehow did not get best director which almost always go hand in hand. It only got best supporting actress and best adapted screen play which usually isn't enough to sway something into the Best Picture winner circle. This year it isn't even Will Smith who should have gotten the nomination but rather Idris Elba for best supporting actor for his work in Beast of Not Nation or Michael B. Jordan for his work in Creed or any of the guys form Straight Out of Compton. It wasn't like the field didn't have a good movie this year with people of color in major roles so there is no reason that every nominee for best actor is white.

 

[Christine]

I am black. My husband is white. In my experiences, he (and his family/white friends) enjoy the Oscar type of movies way more than I do. Boring

So, I am assuming black actors and actresses don't tend to star in "Oscar type" movies because they are targeting a white audience. Same with Asian, Hispanic, Indian, etc. actors. We are different. Why is that so difficult to accept? Why is that so taboo to admit? Of course, there is always an exception.

But, for the most part, black people and white people like different genres of film. And I am ok with that.

I would rather die than receive an award because I demanded it based on the color of my skin. Boycotting the Oscars until more blacks are nominated is ridiculous.

I see what you mean and I get that. What I wonder though was that even in a "white targeted" film (or a black targeted film for that matter), were there black actors worthy of an Oscar nomination. I think that that's the crux of the issue. There is another issue that blacks and other minorities are just not represented well in regular roles and that's a different fact. But of the black actors in 2015 films, should some of them been nominated and were not? That's very subjective and I don't know how to address that.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

And hatred by not including people in the "In Memorium" segment. (yea, I am bitter)

Is there someone blanatently missing recently?

Are they going to have Bowie there? We will see.....

Well, he was in like 30 movies.

 

[Chocolate Cake]

Again this is how out of touch the rich spoiled Hollywood Stars are.
Do they really think the average American gives a rats behind about some rich people award show?

Jada sits there in her multi million dollar mansion crying and whining her husband did not get nominated. Poor baby we feel bad for you.....not!

Jada and Will and their children are so very important. Didn't you know that? LOL!

They are not my favorite and have raised a very spoiled son that tries very hard to "dare to be different". The work that goes into him acting strange must be draining. That kid gets on my last nerve.

So, Jada darling, your husband was not "snubbed". He just wasn't that great. Did you even consider that as a possibility?

 

[Mizzoufan]

I adore Will Smith but his wife is another story she's constantly trying to drum up problems where there are none.

 

[luvsJack]

From what I understand, they are saying there were other contenders of color.

Head of Academy saying they're going to make changes.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/...lack-of-diversity-academy-statement/78989706/

Jada Pinkett Smith already blasted by one person of color.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/oscars-fresh-prince-actress-responds-857028

Host Chris Rock caught in the middle.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...re-wake-Academy-Awards-celebrity-boycott.html

Sounds like it's going to be a hot mess!

Wow. "Aunt Viv" was a bit over the top. She sounds a bit bitter about Will Smith's success.

Not sure why Straight Outta Compton's producer is saying anything, that movie was nominated for writing. I haven't seen it so can't judge but maybe its just not "best picture" material.

I agree this is a hot mess and Jada should have just kept quiet. They have had more success than most Americans of any race so she has NOTHING to fuss about. If she wants Will to win an Oscar maybe she needs to step up and help him find award worthy roles.